Wentworth must keep registrar services

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Wentworth Shire Council has urged the New South Wales Government to keep the Wentworth Local Court registrar service operating.

In a letter to the Minister for Counter Terrorism and Corrections, which was then forwarded on to the Attorney General’s office, Mayor Susan Nichols sought assurance the Wentworth Local Court could continue to uphold the services previously offered by the now retired registrar Peter Fitzpatrick.

“This is a service our remote community cannot do without,” Cr Nichols said.

“Further to this, the future operating model must be the same capacity as it existed when Mr Fitzpatrick was the registrar.”

Mr Fitzpatrick had served the Wentworth community for more than 40 years, finishing at the end of January.

Under his watch the Wentworth Local Court operated Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 4:00pm offering face to face personal appointments with clients in need of the services provided.

Interim arrangements at the Wentworth Local Court involve a relieving registrar opening the registry on court sitting days and for two days the week prior to prepare for Court.

Court sits at Wentworth five days per month, Monday to Friday of the first full week of each month.

The community can continue to contact Wentworth Court at local-court-wentworth@justice.nsw.gov.au or through the NSW Court Services Centre on 1300 679 272.

There are also a number of online services available, including LawAccess, which can be contacted via https://www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au or at 1300 888 529.

The Department of Communities and Justice will undertake community consultation before making a decision regarding the ongoing provision of registry services at Wentworth.

New pavilion a winner for the Wentworth Showgrounds

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The new Wentworth Showgrounds Community Pavilion is ready to go for the return of the Wentworth Show in 2021.


The new building, completed in December 2020, replaces the old Barrett Pavilion that served the community for 114 years.


The pavilion will be used by the Wentworth Show Society, the Wentworth Racing Club and the broader public.


Wentworth Shire Councillors, including Mayor Susan Nichols, toured the new pavilion on 22 February.


“It’s certainly very upmarket, it’s fit for purpose and I believe it’s one of the better buildings you are going to find in a small country area that can be used for a multitude of purposes,” Cr Nichols said.


“It’s huge, it’s just great.”


CPM Building Contractors undertook the construction throughout last year, and although delayed by COVID 19 restrictions Wentworth Show Society president Marcus Moore said they did an outstanding job.


“CPM Contractors have been terrific and have worked well with all stakeholders to deliver a quality end product,” he said.


“It’s been a relatively simple process for such a big project.”

Mr Moore said the new building opened up a lot of possibilities for the community.

“It’s a wonderful redevelopment of the area,” he said.

“Now we have a contemporary building that’s of far more use to us.”

Features of the new pavilion include ample meeting and display space, a large kitchen, disabled toilets and plenty of outdoor cover in the event of rain.

Funding for the project came via various sources including Council, Wentworth and District Community Bank, Relentless Resources, the Wentworth Racing Club and David and Liz Dawes.

This was on top of the Wentworth Show Society’s own funds combined with a $450,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund for the $1.1 million project.

“The pavilion has been designed to blend in with the surrounds and it will also be useful for the wider community,” Mr Moore said.

“It’s one of those things that has been needed … it’s just going to be good for the community.”

Dareton draft strategy captures community pride

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Wentworth Shire Council’s draft ‘Our Town, Our Future – Dareton Revitalised’ strategy aims to revitalize the township of Dareton and the wider Coomealla district and ensure its future is secure and well planned now and in the future.


The draft strategy will be placed on public exhibition from March 6 until April 9 after councillors endorsed its release at the February meeting of Council.
Research for the plan started in early 2020 and whilst COVID-19 prevented in-person consultation for the most part a community survey with close to 150 responses helped drive the draft strategy.


Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Susan Nichols said the community feedback highlighted just how much pride the people of Dareton take in their town.


“The Dareton community is one that is incredibly proud about the place they live and this strategy will ensure they can take ownership of its future,” Cr Nichols said.


“It is exciting to see in an age where small rural townships have historically been in decline that the Dareton community is really passionate about making sure it won’t be one of those townships.”


The draft strategy looks at existing development in and around Dareton, vacant buildings and their potential for reuse and large lot residential development.


It will look at zoning, including rectifying anomalies and rezoning unused primary production land for residential areas.


The ‘Our Town, Our Future – Dareton Revitalised’ draft strategy will be available on the Wentworth Shire Council website at https://www.wentworth.nsw.gov.au/council/publications-policies-forms/public-exhibitions-hearings/


Further consultation with business and community groups will commence shortly and copies of the draft strategy will also be on display at the Dareton Library.


“We want the community to drive the plan and I encourage everyone to take a look at the strategy and have your say on the future development of your community,” Cr Nichols said.
A pop up information session will also be held during the exhibition period.


“It really is an exciting time for Council and for the town and I look forward to the next step in ensuring the people of Dareton have something to call their own for years to come,” Cr Nichols said.

Wentworth Aerodrome Open to daytime traffic

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The Wentworth Aerodrome is now open for daytime traffic.


The main runway is operational, however the North-South runway is still closed for ongoing works.


There is ample parking space for aircraft and there is access to fuel.


Daytime traffic was able to use the main runway from Wednesday for the first time since April 2020 when work on the $9.12 million Wentworth Aerodrome redevelopment project commenced.


Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Susan Nichols said the redevelopment, which is the biggest project Council has ever undertaken, was nearing completion.


“It is exciting to see planes back in the air from Wentworth Aerodrome,” Cr Nichols said.


“This project really is a jewel in the crown for the Wentworth region and I can’t wait to see the finished product when we will have an all-weather facility able to be accessed 24 hours a day.”


Wentworth Shire Council advises there will be intermittent closures as the aerodrome redevelopment project continues, however work can largely continue while the main runway is in use.


Aviators will be notified by NOTAM of closures.